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Vitamin E deficiency in acquired fat malabsorption
T Yokota1, K Tsuchiya, T Furukawa
1Department of Neurology, Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
Journal of Neurology
|April 1, 1990
Summary
Adults with mild vitamin E deficiency often show no symptoms. However, those with diabetes mellitus may experience early neurological issues, highlighting the need for timely diagnosis and intervention.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Endocrinology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Investigated adult-onset vitamin E deficiency in 13 patients with fat malabsorption.
- Assessed clinical and electrophysiological parameters in patients with low serum vitamin E or vitamin E/cholesterol ratio.
Observation:
- Only one patient presented with typical neurological manifestations of vitamin E deficiency.
- This patient had poorly controlled diabetes mellitus secondary to chronic pancreatitis.
- Pathological findings were consistent with vitamin E deficiency.
Findings:
- Patients with diabetes mellitus and chronic pancreatitis may develop neurological symptoms of vitamin E deficiency sooner.
- Early, slight vitamin E deficiency is typically asymptomatic in adults without diabetes.
- The vitamin E tolerance test is recommended for diagnosing deficiency in malabsorption cases.
Implications:
- Suggests that diabetes mellitus accelerates the onset of neurological symptoms in vitamin E deficiency.
- Highlights the importance of the vitamin E tolerance test for identifying subclinical deficiencies.
- Indicates that large oral doses of vitamin E can correct deficiency in some malabsorption-related cases.